A parallel universe The summer of 2020 will go down in history as one of the most difficult summers our generation has ever had to endure. Typically, my family and I spend our summers in Croatia, however, we (regrettably) decided not to go due to the pandemic. As you may recall in earlier blog posts,Continue reading “Was it really a cruel summer? My recap of summer 2020”
Category Archives: Family
Carrying traditions on: learning how to bake my mother’s orahnjača (walnut roll)
Growing up, I remember waking up to the sweet smell of my mother’s orahnjača (walnut roll). At bridal showers, I always gravitated towards the orahnjača on the desert table as it’s not too sweet, nor too heavy and it always goes nicely with a cup of coffee. However, my mother’s recipe is my all-time favourite.Continue reading “Carrying traditions on: learning how to bake my mother’s orahnjača (walnut roll)”
How COVID-19 got to me: stress, fear, uncertainty and self-care during a global pandemic
Friday was the first day that I cried….a lot. I felt exhausted from homeschooling the kids, trying to get some work done as well as regular chores and I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I buried my head into a sea of tears and had to walk away into a different room in my homeContinue reading “How COVID-19 got to me: stress, fear, uncertainty and self-care during a global pandemic”
Carrying traditions on: Learning how to bake my family’s sweet Easter bread
Easter is considered to be the most important holiday in the Catholic faith. For Croatians specifically, Easter is also about tradition. On Holy Saturday, Croatians (and most Eastern Europeans for that matter) will bring baskets of sweet bread and eggs to be blessed during mass. Some people also add smoked meats and green onions toContinue reading “Carrying traditions on: Learning how to bake my family’s sweet Easter bread”
Getting in tune with our learning cues – my experience with home schooling my children thus far
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we in Canada are basically adjusting to a new way of life as we navigate through self-isolation. Because of the pandemic, most non-essential services are closed, including schools and day cares. In Ontario, school is currently postponed until April 5th (although this is subject to change) and now parents areContinue reading “Getting in tune with our learning cues – my experience with home schooling my children thus far”
A Croatian Christmas in Canada
To me, Christmas is more than opening presents and decorating a tree. For me, it has, and forever always will be about tradition. Being Croatian, it was important for my parents to pass down their traditions from their homeland to my brother and I. It’s about getting together with friends and family. It’s about faith, charity andContinue reading “A Croatian Christmas in Canada”
Exploring new places, starting new traditions
A wine tour of Twenty Valley, a hidden gem in my very own backyard When it comes to wine, places like Burgundy, Tuscany and Napa Valley come to mind. I am not necessarily a wine-connoisseur but I do enjoy some good wine. I’ve been fortunate to travel to places like Napa Valley and Italy whereContinue reading “Exploring new places, starting new traditions”
Natalie’s easy pasta sauce
A few weeks ago, one of my friends asked me when I learned to cook. I told her “not until I got married, and before that I was awful.” She was stunned by my admission. Truthfully speaking, my mom did most of it growing up, so there was no need for me to even tryContinue reading “Natalie’s easy pasta sauce”
